Ireland Woman to stand trial over double murder of two men found on Lough Sheelin island
Anthony Keegan (33) and Eoin O'Connor (32) were found wrapped in plastic sheeting on Inchicup Island on Lough Sheelin, Co Cavan, on 26 May 2014. Ruth Lawrence (42) was arrested at Dublin Airport, extradited from South Africa and charged with two counts of murder. Neville van der Westhuizen (41), described as her alleged former partner, is facing extradition to Ireland over the killings. On 24 October 2023 the Central Criminal Court set a trial date of 7 October 2024, expected to last three weeks, and adjourned the matter to 12 January 2024 for a case-management update.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In court24 Oct
- Verdict
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Anthony Keegan (33) and Eoin O'Connor (32) were murdered.
- Where
- Their bodies were found wrapped in plastic sheeting on Inchicup Island on Lough Sheelin, which straddles the Meath-Cavan border.
- When
- The bodies were found on 26 May 2014.
- Investigation
- A fisherman on the lake identified a smell coming from the island, which led to the discovery of the bodies.
- Detective Garda Raymond Flynn arrested Ruth Lawrence (42) at Dublin Airport.
- Other details
- Eoin O'Connor had borrowed his mother's car to travel to Ballyjamesduff, Co Cavan, before the men went missing.
- Ruth Lawrence, described as a Dublin woman originally from Clontarf, was extradited from South Africa.
- Neville van der Westhuizen (41), described as Ruth Lawrence's alleged former partner, is facing extradition to Ireland over the murders.
- Charges
- Ruth Lawrence is accused of two counts of murder.
- In court
- On 24 October 2023 the Central Criminal Court, before Mr Justice David Keane, set a trial date of 7 October 2024, with the trial expected to last three weeks.
- The matter was adjourned to 12 January 2024 for a case-management update.
11 statements extracted from the articles
- whatTwo men, Anthony Keegan and Eoin O’Connor, were murdered. (irishtimes.com)
- whereThe bodies were found on Inchicup Island on Lough Sheelin. (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe bodies were found on 26 May 2014. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationA fisherman on the lake identified a smell coming from the island, leading to the discovery of the bodies. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationDetective Garda Raymond Flynn arrested Ruth Lawrence at Dublin Airport. (irishtimes.com)
- chargeRuth Lawrence was charged with two counts of murder. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe Central Criminal Court set a trial date of 7 October 2024, expected to last three weeks. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe matter was adjourned to 12 January 2024 for a case-management update. (irishtimes.com)
- otherEoin O’Connor had borrowed his mother’s car to travel to Ballyjamesduff in Co Cavan before the men went missing. (irishtimes.com)
- otherRuth Lawrence was extradited from South Africa. (irishtimes.com)
- otherNeville van der Westhuizen is facing extradition to Ireland over the murders. (irishtimes.com)
The reporting
newest first- 24 Oct2023Dublin woman to go on trial charged with double murder of ‘inseparable’ friends
Reports the extradition of Ruth Lawrence from South Africa, her charges of two counts of murder, the Central Criminal Court trial date of 7 October 2024 and a case-management update set for 12 January 2024. It also notes that her alleged former partner, Neville van der Westhuizen, faces extradition over the murders.
victim, Anthony Keegan, 33, male, irish (judged from name)Anthony Keeganvictim, Eoin O'Connor, 32, male, irish (judged from name)Eoin O'Connoraccused, Ruth Lawrence, 42, female, named, irish (judged from name)Ruth Lawrencesuspect, Neville van der Westhuizen, 41, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Neville van der Westhuizen